Pencil-clasp



(No Model.)

H. O. EVANS. PBNGIL CLASP.

Y No. 429,789. Patented June 10, 1890.

ITNESSES: C mvsmon M W ATTORNEY.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY C. EVANS, OF BRISTOL, PENNSYLVANIA.

PENCIL-CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 429,789, dated June 10, 1890.

Application filed February 26, 1890 Serial No. 341,862- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY C. EVANS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bristol, in the county of Bucks and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pencil-Clasps, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is a magnified view of my device as applied to a pencil. Fig. 2 is a perspective yiew thereof, the pencil being shown in dotted mes.

The nature of this invention is a clasp 0r retaining device of novel construction for lead-pencils or similar articles-that is to say, a means whereby a pencil, 850., may be readily attached to or detached from the side of a pocket, coat-lapel, or the like.

My aim is to produce a device of this character which shall combine simplicity and efficiency with lightness and durability, and this end I attain by means of the construction shown in the annexed drawings, wherein A represents a lead-pencil, and B my device applied thereto. This device consists of a single piece of spring-wirebent to form the longitudinal fingers b and the intermediate jaws b The jaws are adapted to embrace and clamp the body of the pencil, while the forward ends of the fingers normally bear upon the pencil. In the formation of the fingers the wire is doubled upon itself and turned upward at the ends 19 and in the making of the jaws the wire isbent to form loops or semicircles b with the connecting portions 1). The extremities of the wire meet at the free end of one of the fingers and are there secured by means of a neatly-applied solderdrop 3.

The elasticity of the wire causes the open jaws to clasp the pencil tightly and the fingers to bear firmly upon the latter. Thus if the pencil be inserted in the pocket with the spring-fingers outward the downwardly-projecting finger will pass over the outer side of the pocket and, in conjunction with the opposed part of the pencil, will clamp or bind the interposed fabric. In this way the pencil will be securely held in the pocket.

The binding action of the jaws upon the pencil is of course greater than that of the spring-finger upon the fabricin order that the pencil and the device will not be parted when the pencil is withdrawn from the pocket.

As the device is provided with two fingers, aforementioned, whether the pencil be pushed into the pocket point upward or point downward it will be secured therein. The springjaws are of such size as readily to adapt themselves to pencils of various gages or diameters.

Obviously, the device may be set at anypoint on the pencil as desired, and from its open and light construction the clasp will not interfere with the writers fingers if they happen to rest thereon.

I claim as my invention 1. A clasp for pencils and the like, comprising two spring-jaws adapted to embrace the same, and two spring-fingers extending oppositely from said jaws and adapted normally to bear upon the pencil, &c., and form in conjunction therewith clamping or binding mediums, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. A clasp composed of spring-wire bent to form two open jaws adapted to embrace a pencil or the like, and a spring-finger extending from said jaws and adapted normally to bear upon the pencil, &c., and form in conjunction therewith a clamping or binding medium, substantially as described.

3. A clasp composed of a single piece of spring-wire bent to form two jaws adapted to embrace a pencil, &c., and two spring-fingers extending oppositely from said jaws and adapted normally to bear upon the pencil, 850., and form in conjunction therewith clamping or binding mediums, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature this 10th day of February, A. D. 1890.

HARRY C. EVANS.

WVitnesses:

GEo. W. REED, JOHN R. NOLAN. 

